Peach tree named ‘Royal Zest Three’

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a new variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘Royal Zest Three’. This new variety, which requires approximately 550 chilling units of dormancy, is considered to be a peach tree of mid-season maturity, which produces yellow fleshed freestone fruit that are very firm, attractively colored, and suitable for both local and regional markets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to peach trees and, more specifically, to peach trees referred to as a variety of Prunus persica named ‘Royal Zest Three’. ‘Royal Zest Three’, which requires approximately 600 chilling units of dormancy, produces an exceptionally high quality, firm freestone peach that matures mid-season.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘Royal Zest Three’ peach is characterized as to novelty and is otherwise noteworthy by producing fruit that ripens in the mid-season; is considered high quality; and which is firm and has an attractive coloration. In this regard, the present variety of peach tree bears fruit that are ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment in early to mid-June, when the fruit is grown in medium chill zone of Texas. ‘Royal Zest Three’ ripens about 10 days later than ‘June Gold’ Peach, a non-patented variety (Brooks, R. M. 1958. Fruit Var. J. 3:22). Additionally, the new variety exhibits the potential to be commercialized in regions that have chilling requirements that are relatively low.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present peach tree was the result of an ongoing Stone Fruit Breeding Program of Texas A & M University, College Station, Brazos County, Tex. To this end, controlled crosses are made each year in order to produce seedling populations from which improved progenies are evaluated and selected.

The seedling TX4E218 (“Royal Zest Three”) was discovered at the Texas A & M University Horticultural Farm in College Station, Tex. in 2002 in a population of seedlings that resulted from seed from a cross between the yellow-fleshed California peach ‘Rich Lady’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,290 and the early ripening, medium chill peach, ‘Victor’ (UPOV PBR PRUNU_PER grant #25391). ‘Victor’ was released by Texas A&M University for use in Spain and is a seedling from the cross between the low chill, yellow-fleshed, mid-season cultivar ‘Tropic Beauty’ (not patented) and the early ripening, yellow-fleshed, medium chill peach ‘Goldprince’ (not patented). ‘Tropic Beauty’ was jointly released by the University of Florida and Texas A&M University (Rouse and Sherman, 1989) and is derived from a cross between an unreleased Florida selection Fla3-2 (K6E121 open pollinated) and ‘Flordaprince’ (Fla2-7×‘Maravilha’) (not patented, Sherman and Lyrene, 1992). ‘Goldprince’ was released by the USDA breeding program in Byron, Ga. (Okie, 1993) and is derived from a cross between ‘Loring’ (not patented, Okie, 1998) and the unreleased Georgia selection FV3-257. Resulting seed from this cross were planted in 1999 at the Texas A & M University Horticultural Farm in College Station, Tex. ‘ROYAL ZEST THREE’ was marked as TX4E218 for subsequent observation and noted as having exceptional characteristics. Two-year and older trees of the variety were subsequently evaluated during the 2005 through 2013 fruit growing seasons in both California (Fowler) and Texas (Terrell, Fairfield and College Station).

The new variety ‘Royal Zest Three’ differs from ‘Rich Lady’, its yellow-fleshed, high chill female parent as it requires less chilling (approx. 600 chill hours versus approx. 800), blooms 5-9 days earlier, ripens 2-3 days earlier, and has a more rounded shape.

‘Royal Zest Three’ differs from, ‘Victor’, its medium chill, yellow fleshed peach as it requires more chilling accumulation to break dormancy (600 versus 400 chilling hours), blooms 10-11 days later, ripens 3-4 weeks later, and has more red blush development (˜65% versus 55%).

Asexual Reproduction of the Variety

‘ROYAL ZEST THREE’ was bud grafted onto virus-free Nemaguard (“The Brooks and Olmo Register of Fruit and Nut Varieties,” 3rd Ed., American Society of Horticultural Science Press, Alexandria, Va., 1997, unpatented) peach rootstock in June 1998 at the nursery site in Oakdale, Calif. The variety was subsequently planted at the experimental orchard in the central portion of the San Joaquin Valley, near Fowler, Fresno County, Calif. and in three sites in Texas (College Station, Fairfield, and Terrell). Fruit from the resulting propagation has been evaluated during the period from 2000 to 2008 fruit seasons. This evaluation clearly demonstrated that the re-propagated trees were true to the characteristics of the original seedling in all observable aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety of peach tree is illustrated by the accompanying photographic drawings and depicts the plant by the best possible color representation using color photography, wherein:

FIG. 1. Color picture showing the flesh and skin color and fruit shape of ‘Royal Zest Three’.

FIG. 2. The endocarp of ‘Royal Zest Three’. The ruler is in millimeters.

FIG. 3. A stem showing the leaves of the ‘Royal Zest Three’ peach. The ruler is demarcated in millimeters.

FIG. 4. The showy flowers of ‘Royal Zest Three’. The ruler is in millimeters.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing at the experimental orchards in medium chill zone of Texas. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (2001 Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. Colors are approximate as color depends on horticultural practices such as light level and fertilization rate, among others.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally average to above average as compared to             other common peach cultivars ripening in the mid-season of             maturity.         -   Height.—7 feet (2.13 m) at the end of the 2012 growing             season.         -   Width.—6 feet (1.83 m) at the end of the 2012 growing             season.         -   Vigor.—High.         -   Density.—Medium to high.         -   Productivity.—Productive.         -   Shape.—The trees are vigorous with the typical             semi-spreading growth habit similar to ‘TexKing’ (U.S. Plant             Pat. No. 14,627), ‘TexPrince’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,629),             and ‘TexRoyal’ (not patented, Byrne and Bacon, 1991).         -   Current season growth.—The current season growth for the new             variety was approximately 2.9 to 3.8 feet (0.88-1.2 m).         -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular, and considered hardy under             typical conditions found in the medium chill zone of Texas             and the central San Joaquin Valley, Calif. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Approximately 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) in diameter and 14             inches (35.56 cm) in circumference when measured at a             distance of approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) above the soil             level, at the end of the 2012 growing season on a five-year             old tree.         -   Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough with numerous             folds of papery scarf-like skin being present.         -   Bark coloration.—Variable, colors present are 166A of the             Greyed-Orange Group and 200C-D and N200C of the Brown Group. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety.         -   Thickness.—Average (about 6.4 cm in diameter as measured 10             cm from the trunk on a five-year old tree) as compared to             other varieties.         -   Surface texture.—Average and appearing furrowed on wood that             is several years old.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels present. The             lenticels range in size from approximately 5 to 10 mm in             width and were approximately 1-2 mm in height.         -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Substantially             glabrous.         -   Internode length.—Approximately 2.5 to 4.5 cm as measured in             the middle of a current season stem.         -   Color of mature branches.—The predominant colors are 183A-B             of the Greyed-Purple Group and 201A-C of the Grey Group.         -   Current season shoots.—Color — Light green (N144D and 144A-B             of the Yellow-Green Group). The color of new shoot tips is             considered a bright and shiny green (mainly Yellow-Green             Groups N144D, 145A-B and 146D).         -   Type of bearing.—Long shoots only.         -   Spur length.—Not applicable.         -   Vegetative bud size.—Generally 2-4 mm in length on the mid             portion of a late summer shoot.         -   Vegetative bud shape of apex.—Acute.         -   Position of vegetative bud in relation to one-year-old             shoot.—Slightly held out. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered moderately large for the species. Leaf             measurements have been taken from vigorous upright current             season growth approximately at mid-shoot.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 170 to 180 mm.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 33 to 39 mm.         -   Leaf thickness.—Less than 1 mm.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.         -   Leaf upper surface color.—Green varying among 137A-B of the             Green Group.         -   Leaf lower surface color.—Green varying approximately 147D             of the Yellow-Green Group.         -   Leaf mid-vein color.—Light yellow green (147A-D of the             Yellow-Green Group).         -   Leaf margins.—Form — Considered crenate. Uniformity —             Considered generally uniform.         -   Leaf petioles.—Size — Considered medium. Length —             Approximately 10 to 12 mm. Thickness — Approximately 1 to             2 mm. Color — Pale green (Yellow-Green Group 144A-C).         -   Leaf glands (nectaries).—Size — Approximately 1 mm or less             in height and width. Number — Generally 0-3 per leaf. Type —             Globose. Color — Brown (N200A Brown Group). Position —             predominantly on the base of the leaf blade.         -   Leaf stipules.—Size — Medium for the species. Length —             Approximately 9 to 11 mm. Form — Lanceolate. Color — Green             (144B-C of the Yellow-Green Group) with reddish brown tips             when young. The stipules are early deciduous.         -   Ratio of wood (leaf) buds to flowering buds.—1 to 2 flower             buds per vegetative bud. -   Flowers:     -   -   Floral buds.—General — The floral buds are considered to be             medium in size, conic in form, and slightly appressed             relative to the bearing shoot. Color — The bud scales are             silver-brown, (approximately Greyed-Green Group 197A-B,             Grey-Brown Group N199B and the Brown Group 200B-C). The buds             are considered hardy under the typical climatic conditions             of the medium chill zone of Texas and the central San             Joaquin Valley, Calif. Length — Approximately 5 to 6 mm.             Blooming Type — Considered early in relation to other peach             cultivars commonly growing in the medium chill zone of             Texas. Date of full bloom was between February 28th and             March 10th during the period between 2006 and 2011. The mean             flowering time was about the 5th of March, 4-6 days before             flowering of ‘June Gold’.         -   Flower fertility.—Self fertile.         -   Flower type.—Showy.         -   Flower size.—Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately             33 to 41 mm.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Normally 1 to 2 per node.         -   Petal size.—General — Considered medium large to large for             the species. Width — Approximately 11 to 14 mm. Length —             Approximately 20 to 22 mm.         -   Petal form.—Broadly ovate.         -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.         -   Petal color.—Light pink when young (Red-Purple Group 62D,             69A-D and 73D), becoming darker near the petal claw             (Red-Purple Group 62B-C, 63D and 65A-B).         -   Flower arrangement of petals.—Touching and/or overlapping at             the base of the petals.         -   Petal claw.—Form — The claw is considered truncate in shape             and has a medium size when compared to other varieties.             Length — Approximately 1 to 2 mm. Width — Approximately 1             mm.         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered variable, from nearly             smooth to slightly undulate.         -   Petal apex.—Generally — The petal apices appear slightly             domed.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length — Considered long for the species,             and having an average length of approximately 3 to 4 mm.             Thickness — Considered average, approximately 1 mm. Color —             A light green (Yellow-Green Group 144D, N144D and 145A-B).         -   Floral nectaries.—Color — Medium orange (Yellow-Orange Group             23A-B, Orange Group 24B, 25B-C, N25C and 26A). Calyx —.         -   Surface texture.—Generally glabrous. Color — Maroon with             green (approximately Greyed-Red Group 178A-B, 181A,             Greyed-Purple Group 183A-C, 185A and 187C). Sepals — Surface             Texture — The surface has a very short, fine, wooly and a             gray-colored texture. Size — Average, and ovate in form.             Color — Maroon with green (approximately Greyed-Red Group             178A-B, 181A, Greyed-Purple Group 183A-C, 185A and 187C).         -   Anthers.—General — Average in size for the species. Color —             Golden yellow (approximately Yellow Orange Group 17A-B and             Greyed-Orange 163A-B). Pollen Production — Pollen is             abundant and is a yellow color.         -   Filaments.—Size — Variable in length, approximately 16 to 18             mm, with the filaments slightly longer than the pistil.             Color — Very light pink (approximately Red-Purple Group 62D             and 65C-D) and darkening with advanced maturity. Anther             position relative to pistil and petals — Anthers general at             same height or higher than the pistils. The anthers do not             protrude when the flower is at the pink bud stage of             development.         -   Pistil.—General — Average in size, but slightly shorter,             relative to the general anther height, overall. Length —             Approximately 15 to 17 mm, including the ovary. Color —             Considered a very light yellow-green when young             (approximately Green-Yellow Group 1D and Yellow Group 2C-D             and 4D). Surface Texture — The variety has a long, silver             white pubescent pistil (approximately White Group 155A-D). -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity.—The present variety of fruit is described, as it             would be found in its firm ripe condition at full commercial             maturity. Under the ecological conditions prevailing in the             medium chill zone of Texas. Over the period between 2006 and             2011 it ripen between June 6th and June 29nd with a mean             first ripe date of June 13th in the medium chill zone of             Texas.         -   Size.—General — Medium large to large for the season and             considered uniform.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 62 to 68 mm.         -   Average suture diameter.—Approximately 61 to 69 mm.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 63 to 70 mm.         -   Fruit form.—Generally considered truncate with unequal             halves. Occasionally the fruit exhibits less symmetry when             comparing the suture height with the line opposite the             suture. The fruit is generally uniform in symmetry when             viewed from the apical aspect.         -   Fruit suture.—Generally, the suture appears as a thin line             that extends from the base to the apex, and appears deeper             at the apex, forming a shallow basin at the apical point.             The suture is even or within 2-3 mm of being even with the             surrounding fruit surface.         -   Color.—Orange-Red Group N34A, Red Group 42A and Red Group             53A-B.         -   Ventral surface.—Form — Considered uniform.         -   Stem cavity.—Size — Considered moderately large for the             species. Width — Approximately 14 to 17 mm. Length —             Approximately 23 to 35 mm. Depth — Approximately 12 to 18             mm.         -   Fruit base.—Round and flat.         -   Fruit apex.—Flat and round.         -   Fruit stem.—Length — 5 to 16 mm. Thickness — Approximately 3             to 5 mm. Color — Medium green with yellow green coloration             (Green Group 143C and Yellow-Green Group 144A-C).         -   Fruit skin.—Generally considered medium or average in             thickness. Surface Texture — Light, short pubescence. Skin             Acidity — Considered neutral. Tenacious to Flesh — Yes.             Tendency to Crack — Not observed. Skin Color — Generally —             Variable, with approximately 65-85% of the fruit surface             covered with an attractive red blush. Down — Light and             short. Blush Color — The blush color is more apparent on the             apical surface. It ranges from a dark red to a medium red             (Red Groups 45A-B, 46A, 47A and 53A-B) with many degrees of             shading and blending between the stated colorations.         -   Skin ground color.—Varies from a clear medium yellow to an             orange yellow to a yellowish green (Yellow Group 2A-B,             Yellow Group 13C, Yellow-Orange Group 14C and Yellow-Green             Group 154A-C).         -   Flesh color.—Considered a medium to dark yellow (Yellow             13A-B and Yellow-Orange Group 14D) with red flecks appearing             throughout (Red Group 46A).         -   Flesh fibers.—Present, numerous and lightly colored. These             fibers are present throughout the flesh.         -   Stone cavity flesh color.—Medium yellow (Yellow Group             13A-B).         -   Flesh texture.—Generally, the flesh is considered firm and             fine at commercial maturity.         -   Ripening.—Generally the fruit of the present variety ripens             evenly.         -   Flavor.—Considered sweet and a rich, with slightly acidic             flavor.         -   Soluble solids.—Range from 11 to 15 Brix with a mean of             about 13 Brix.         -   Titrable acidity.—Generally ranges from 0.8-1.1 Eq H⁺/1000             mL of juice depending on the ripeness of the fruit sampled.         -   Aroma.—Pleasant and reasonably abundant.         -   Eating.—Generally considered very good to excellent. -   Stone:     -   -   Attachment.—Freestone at commercial maturity.         -   Stone size.—Generally considered medium-large relative to             the ratio of stone to fruit size. Length — Approximately 31             to 34 mm. Width — Approximately 21 to 24 mm. Thickness —             Approximately 16 to 18 mm.         -   Fibers.—Generally a few medium length fibers are attached             sporadically along the surface of the stone. Stone Form —             Elliptical. Stone Base — The stone is considered narrow.             Apex Shape — Narrow. Stone Shape — The stone normally ovid.         -   Stone surface.—Surface Texture — Single pits and pit             grooves. Ridges — Numerous fine ridges are present basally,             and converge towards the base of the stone. Ventral Edge —             None to small. Dorsal Edge — Shape — Grooved and having             moderately rough edges. Stone Color — The color of the dry             stone is light brown (165C-D of the Greyed-Orange Group).             The color of the inside surface of the endocarp is primarily             159A-B of the Orange-White Group and 164D and 165D of the             Greyed-Orange Group. Tendency to Split — Splitting was not             observed. Kernel — The kernel fills the endocarp at harvest             and measures approximately 4-5 mm in thickness, 9-10 mm in             width, and 15-18 mm in length. When dried the shriveled             kernels measure approximately 3 mm in thickness, 8-9 mm in             width, and 16-17 mm in length. The colors of the shriveled             kernels are primarily Greyed-Orange Group 165B-C. The             kernels are viable if extracted from the endocarp and             stratified immediately after harvest but not if allowed to             dry first. -   Use: The subject variety, ‘ROYAL ZEST THREE’, is considered to be a     peach tree of mid-season maturity, which produces fruit which are     very firm, attractively colored, and which are useful for both local     and regional markets. -   Keeping quality: Good. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. -   Shipping quality: Average.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing in the medium chill zone of Texas it will be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to the changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, and pest control are to be expected.

References

Anon. 2001. R.H.S. Colour Chart. The Royal Hort. Soc., London.

Brooks, R. M. 1958. Double Delight, Earligold, and June Gold peaches. Fruit Var. J. 3:22.

Brooks, R. M. and H. P. Olmo. 1997. Register of New Fruit and Nut Varieties. 3rd Edition. American Society of Horticultural Science Press, Alexandria, Va.

Byrne, D. H. and T. A. Bacon. 1991. ‘TexRoyal’, a medium chilling peach. HortScience 26(10):1338-1340.

Byrne, D. H. and T. A. Bacon. 2004. ‘TexKing’, an early ripening medium chill peach. HortScience 39: 442-443. U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,627. Mar. 23, 2004.

Byrne, D. H. and T. A. Bacon. 2004. ‘Texprince’, a mid season, medium chill peach. HortScience 39(3):631-632. U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,629. Mar. 23, 2004.

Okie, W. R. 1993. ‘Goldprince’ and ‘Scarletpearl’ peaches. HortScience 28:231.

Okie, W. R. 1998. Handbook of peach and nectarine varieties, USDA, ARS, Agric. Handbook No. 714.

Rouse, R. and W. Sherman. 1989. ‘TropicBeauty’: a low-chilling peach for subtropical climates. HortScience 24:165-166.

Sherman, W. B. and P. M. Lyrene. 1992. Flordaprince peach. Fruit Var. J. 46:66-67.

Zaiger, C. F., G. N. Zaiger, L. M. Gardner, and G. G. Zaiger. 1990. Peach tree ‘Rich Lady’. U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,290. Aug. 7, 1990. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct Prunus persica tree, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 